Review: Sea Of Brass, Derby Theatre

The seeds of British Sea Power’s Sea of Brass project were originally sown in Derby so it was fitting that they returned to the city as part of their triumphant tour on Saturday.

The chart-topping indie rock band have been performing their favourite songs from a ten-year back catalogue in collaboration with championship brass bands from across the country.

On Saturday night they took to the Derby Theatre stage with the mighty Derwent Brass to rapturous applause and left it about 90 minutes later to a foot-stomping standing ovation.

The project has been two years in the making and evolved from an art project at the city’s Chocolate Factory.

British Sea Power were asked to do something with brass which wasn’t traditional, old and clichéd and Peter Wraight, who conducted the brass band for the gig, was enlisted to come up with suitable musical arrangements to go alongside their melodies.

The original Arts Council backed art project was then developed into Sea of Brass.

For this show they didn’t go for a greatest hits set but instead chose those with an orchestral feel – some of their more gentle songs including their favourite B-sides.

That’s not to say none of their big hits were played and fans greeted the much louder, mind blowing Machineries of Joy with a huge cheer.

As a newcomer to the band’s work I had been advised to see them live and take it from there. I am not sure how I have missed out on them for so long but having been introduced – thanks to Derwent Brass – I can’t wait to listen to more – they seem much more than just an indie band.

Derwent Brass members were clearly in their element and relishing every second of the pairing of the two musical styles.

The award-winning band have performed in many different venues from churches and village fetes to important national competitions but I reckon this was one show that will have really blown their minds. They lived up to the occasion and did Derby proud.